Dietician says 'make this food swap to lower risk of diabetes and bowel cancer'
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A dietitian has explained how eating less meat and more pulses could reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke and benefit your digestive system, among other health advantages. As Veganuary nears, people might consider reducing meat in their diet. The expert explained that replacing meat with pulses could help you eat less unhealthy saturated fat while maintaining a diet high in protein. Explaining why pulses, such as peas, beans and lentils, are so good for your health, Tracy Parker, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said pulses make a great addition to a healthy diet.
She told the charity's Heart Matters magazine: "They are high in protein and fibre, low in fat and cheap to buy. That means they can save you money, help you manage your weight and lower your risk of bowel cancer. And they’re good for the environment too.".
She added that all dried or tinned lentils, peas or beans count as pulses, except for peanuts and soya beans. The British Heart Foundation also recommended easy ways to add pulses to your diet. For instance, you could add butter beans, cannellini beans, brown lentils, or green lentils to a salad. You might add extra kidney beans to a chilli recipe. Or perhaps you could replace half the meat in a bolognese recipe with lentils.
Parker revealed: "Replacing half or even all the meat you eat with pulses is a great way to eat less unhealthy saturated fat, manage your weight and keep your digestive system healthy. You will also feel better and reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.".
